I have listened to these and they sound good but not the best I have had heard. Are these any good for half off? I am in the market for some on the ear or over the ear headphones but I don't know of any good ones. I have read many different things on the internet in the last couple of day but still have questions. I am not an audiophile so studio type headphones do not appeal to me. I do listen to heavy metal (Pantera, Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad etc), alternative rock (Bush, Matchbox 20 etc), Grunge, Nu Metal (Korn etc), some dance music of the 90s, a bunch of 80s music, sometimes Beat Dominator and the occasional old school hip hop (sorry no country and I don't listen to crappy music as well ). I do like a good amount of bass.

I don't want to spend more than $100. It turns out that after tax and shipping the Monsters are about $100. I really don't care about brand name except for Skullcandy since their headphones just suck. Any suggestions or recommendations?

Personally, I say up your budget to $150 and get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50. They're circumaural (over-the-ear), sealed and have good bass. They sound good without an amp and they're very portable (small and fold up real nice). I have a pair and like 'em a lot (although I fucked 'em up trying to do the removable cable mod lol).

You say you're not an audiophile, but I guarantee that will change once you hear good sound.

edit: You could also try the Grado SR-60i, which are a lot cheaper ($80). They're on-ear (earpad), easy to drive without an amp and from what I've seen others say, Grado headphones are good for rock/metal.

if you can't afford the Audio Technica M50 I would pick up the Grado SR-80i but keep in mind people either love these headphones or hate them so buy them from a seller with a good return policy like Amazon. Grados are pretty easy to drive and the 80i have a little better bass response over the 60i.

+1 for Grados, you can also get Alessandro's (may be stretching your budget)

Also, the Superlux HD-668B are touted as "Studio Monitors" but aren't. I bought these headphones after a review saying that they made Grado's/Alessandro's sound muddy in comparison (I have MS1i's) and after getting them I would have to agree, with a sad face..

These Superlux are well within budget, has amazing instrument separation and detail that surpasses my MS1i's. Flat bass and mids but bright. The detail and instruments separation makes it one of the best headphones for metal since it's difficult to keep metal from sounding muddy and garbled because of it's heavy nature. But these headphones accept the challenge and win. Only one thing, you may have to EQ down the highs because the headphones anre bright.

When M50 was retailing under $100, M50 roflstomps almost everthing out there. Now its really overpriced. Better options exist elsewhere for your money.

I will have to agree with this, but the HD5xx are quite good for the money.

Another option is Sony XB series, they are not too bad and quite comfy (to my ears anyway). Make sure you get them for cheaps though, they are not worth that much.

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M50 in the UK are still selling at a very competitive price. At that range, there is Shure SRH840 (far to big and heavy), Beyer DT150 (need amp badly), Song ZX700 (not on the same level in sound quailty).

M50 cannot really compared to the Shure and Beyer in sound alone, but the advantage in size, comfort and ease of use outweighs it somehow.

I know from reading and from personal experience that the Sennheiser 555s had flawed engineering and would crack often. They've since been discontinued and I now own the 558s, which frankly don't appear to be engineered any differently, but have not yet cracked; perhaps its a reformulation of the plastic, if anything.

That said, I think the ATH-M50 is a bit high in price right now, and apparently out of your price range by $40+. I never understand why people begin suggesting headphones that don't fall within the price stated by the OP.

I'd have to research further using websites such as the aforementioned HeadFi (a definitive website in that community) to find suitable headphones that come at a price of $100 or less.

I know from reading and from personal experience that the Sennheiser 555s had flawed engineering and would crack often. They've since been discontinued and I now own the 558s, which frankly don't appear to be engineered any differently, but have not yet cracked; perhaps its a reformulation of the plastic, if anything.

That said, I think the ATH-M50 is a bit high in price right now, and apparently out of your price range by $40+. I never understand why people begin suggesting headphones that don't fall within the price stated by the OP.

I'd have to research further using websites such as the aforementioned HeadFi (a definitive website in that community) to find suitable headphones that come at a price of $100 or less.

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First, I don't read and recommend. Only recommending via first hand experience and first hand experience tells me good headphones that worth your money under $100 is only a hand full.

Grado SR80i and Sony MDR-V6 are also options. Grado is very open, so you might want to be a bit more careful in public. Sound wise very pleasing, and "Grado flavoured". The V6 is a bit bright like the ZX700 and its a classic, coily wires and all.

I think there are headphones lower than $100 which are worth your money, as long as you are willing to sacrifice flexibility for specific usage, eg: CAL is very good with orchestra and bassy music, but absolutely fails with female vocals. The SR80 is very good all round, but does not shine in any way and is pretty useless in public. This is coming from a classically trained musician and TF10 user, so I think I have at least some authority on the matter.

Just avoid HD280Pros in general, unless you have a tiny head or it is made of steel. It doesn't sound that nice either.

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They feel fine on my head and it's not exactly small, but it's not big either. It's flat response, so no boost on the bass or high end. That is definitely not the experience that I've had with them. I have found that these headphone will make bad music sound worse but will make good music sound amazing. To each their own I guess.

I heard a lot of good things about the Audio-Technica ATH-M50. I did found them on ebay by an authorized reseller on ebay for $119. I do like the Grados though but I like for other people not to hear my music. I like Sony's too as well. I have a pair of Sony MDREX58V earbuds and they are decent. I still gotta think....